What happened after the whack, I don't know. But I've never seen nor heard any evidence that Tonya knew of the attack before it happened. As far as I know, she watched it on the news just like everyone else.

I love the idea of the two Brians being interviewed together. They clearly have respect for each other, and they've both done so well, and skated in such interesting programs, since Calgary that neither of them has much to regret. They are both good sports and great athletes.

I've actually seen and heard pretty much all I ever want to see or hear from Tonya Harding. I think she's a very sad case - with or without the whack. Maybe she had bad luck or bad karma but something always went wrong and it was always somebody else's fault. I don't think she did much for the sport of figure skating and rather look on her as a blight. I would love to see the two Brians interviewed though. Both are articulate, still love the sport, and were gentlemen all the way.

I followed that story the way Hispanic ladies follow telenovelas. Tonya only admitted to knowing about the attack after the fact. She had super talent but, many things went wrong in her life. I don't know what else she could add to that crazy story but, it would be nice to know what she is up to.

Tonya was obviously such a fascinating beast. I would worry that time has ravaged and burnished too much from her memory for it to be enough truth. More likely too much of a psychological profile. Bet TSL would be too afraid to approach her in person. Would be like those interviews behind bullet proof glass.

Tonya Harding very deservedly belongs in the history of figure skating as a great athlete who accomplished a lot in the amount of time she was part of it. She had a terrible life story and she made a lot of mistakes because of it, including marrying at 19 (as a means of never having to live with her horrible mother again and pressure from the USFSA), keeping silent regarding what she knew about "The Whack" after it had happened. And so what if she gets paid for her interviews. The media outlets that approach her for an interview are making money off of her name! Why shouldn't she get a cut of the profits. It is her name! She doesn't seek out the publicity - they come to her. Most people deserve a "do-over" in life. Just let her live hers.

Are there other Web formats where skaters are interviewed regularly? Thank you if you know where they are.

Originally Posted by skateluvr

Again, are there aany other interview formats like TSL who are talking with impt. skaters???? What would be a very good blog where author has great contacts? There must be others. Thanks.

Originally Posted by jennyanydots

Other places where you can find interviews of people in the skating world are Is That A Skate Guard In Your Pocket Or Are You Happy To See Me? and The Manleywoman Skatecast.

FYI, Pj Kwong and a partner have been offering an ongoing series of podcasts.
Several (but by no means all) of their interviewees have been significant names from the skating community: for example, Browning, Bezic, Zoueva, Stojko. Not sure whether every single guest has been Canadian, but I think that many of them are.

(Disclaimers: I have never actually listened to one of these podccasts ... just have never gotten around to trying one. And again, skating is only one of many topics covered by Kwong and her fellow podcaster. Many of their guests have nothing to do with skating whatsoever.)

I occasionally read the Skate Guard in Your Pocket interviews mentioned above by jennyanydots. AFAIK, they are print interviews (no video or audio) -- an advantage, IMHO, because they allow quick skimming. And the questions and answers are worthwhile reading.
The link:

That is an absurd opinion, noskates. Second woman ever, first American, to complete a triple axel in competition. Amazing triple lutz, by which female figure skaters are still judged to this day (though no one dares mention her name in comparison).

Even the women since who have done 3As have done sad, "feminine" 3As. Tight, fast rotation, with little ice coverage. This seems to please the judges, who like female figure skaters to stay in their athletic place, but it is unimpressive to watch (cf., Mao Asada). I miss women doing 3As like Midori Ito and Tonya Harding, as though biological sex made not a damn bit of difference. I bet these days they would get negative GOEs.

Originally Posted by Tippi1963

Tonya Harding very deservedly belongs in the history of figure skating as a great athlete who accomplished a lot in the amount of time she was part of it. She had a terrible life story and she made a lot of mistakes because of it, including marrying at 19 (as a means of never having to live with her horrible mother again and pressure from the USFSA), keeping silent regarding what she knew about "The Whack" after it had happened. And so what if she gets paid for her interviews. The media outlets that approach her for an interview are making money off of her name! Why shouldn't she get a cut of the profits. It is her name! She doesn't seek out the publicity - they come to her. Most people deserve a "do-over" in life. Just let her live hers.

YES!

People like to have easily identifiable villians. Harding fits the mold. Makes average folks feel better about their own morality.

I do not think Tonya Harding has the sense of humor nor the self-reflection to be a good interview with TSL. Anyway, she'll just lie about everything and continue her poor me talk. Her FBI file pretty much includes Tonya from the get go no matter what story she's sticking to now. All the phone calls are documented, whether it is Tonya calling that reporter to get Nancy's rink and home (!!!) address, or her making calls to Tony Kent, or her back and forth right after the whack to Jeff. She was lucky she wasn't prosecuted for more, but it would cost too much to have a trial, and the authorities already got the goons who were the major players.

I think she was in from the beginning. Tonya was an angry person by then who felt she could not get a fair break. She felt she was the better skater and that she could not compete with nancy's beauty/dresses/elegant reserve and her favor with the mink wearing establishment. Still, she did not take her talent and run with it. She did not train, she smoked, she partied. She lost her chances because she was angry and immature. Fair sportsmanship eluded her in the end. Who knows who started the idea. I think it was Gilooly's idea and then his goon friends thought it was doable. Sadly, a bunch with low IQs. Tonya had nothing but skating, and she really blew it. When she was in shape, she looked good. She made ugly costumes to stand out. It seems she did not get a lot of discipline from her coaches. It is sad that it took negative words to get Tonya to work.

I do feel for her-she had the mother from hell, but her Dad adored her, and her coaches stuck with her. She was just too abused by then to make good choices. I do hope she is a good mother to her new Baby. May it be her saving grace. I would not be as charitable if Nancy had been hurt. Strangely, Nancy came back fighting to deliver two great skates-some say the best of her career and I'd agree. These girls at the top are tough nuts, that is for sure.

Back to the topic. Every time I hear her give excuses, I get really sad. I'd rather watch her past performances on youtube. So no I don't want her interviewed on TSL. That said I do hope she's happy and knows that her achievements in the sport will not be forgotten.